Don McLean is a music legend having been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and establishing himself as a pioneer of American folk rock music after a career of hits and stardom. At 81, it is remarkable that he is still touring and he has yet again made it to the other side of the world as he returned to Australia for his American Pie 55th anniversary show.

The show included some originals as well as some of McLean’s favourite covers over the years reflecting his musical journey, with plenty of stories and exposition between songs. While the opportunity to hear the stories behind his music added context to the performance, it does need to be said that McLean’s voice is not what it once was. Indeed, McLean acknowledged as much when he took to the stage.

“I really love what I’m doing and I like to play my guitar and sing for people and that’s all that matters,” he said.

McLean delighted the crowd with his song “Botanical Gardens” which he revealed was about Sydney’s Botanic Gardens (which was not far from the theatre). However, as he moved into some of his covers including Elvis’ “Little Sister” and Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”, the vocal cracks began to show even more making it increasingly apparent that his voice was struggling to keep up with the demands of some of the material. While the selection of songs demonstrated the breadth of his musical influences, the performance was at times let down by the vocal difficulties which were noticeable.

While there were some vocal issues throughout the show, for some songs it did not matter, with the crowd loving every moment of “Vincent”, which showed off McLean’s beautiful songwriting even if his voice was not quite there. The song remains a testament to his ability to craft a moving melody and lyrics that continue to resonate decades after their release with the audience’s response demonstrating the enduring connection listeners have with his music. However, there were other songs where the vocal deficiencies were more apparent, with a cover of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” proving particularly challenging as McLean struggled with the higher notes.

What worked best was the end of the show, when McLean treated the audience to an extended version of “American Pie” which had everyone in the crowd up and dancing. While McLean’s voice did struggle at times, he turned much of the song over to the crowd, which was a great way to celebrate his music and the power of the number, allowing the audience to take part in an extended celebration of one of his most enduring hits.

Overall, this was a decent show which showcased some of McLean’s beautiful songwriting even though his voice struggled, making for an uneven flow to the night. There is no doubt that McLean is a music legend and while his vocal powers may be waning, the music certainly has not died for those in the audience who got to see a maestro at work.

Rating: ★★1/2

Don McLean – State Theatre – 19 October 2026